ZX Spectrum Next (and compatibles) QL Core now available!

[Peter]

The QL core for the Spectrum Next is nice stuff and I'm happy for everyone who has fun with it.
I just don't understand why that comes bundled with comparisons like "more affordable and less hustle" than a Q68.

The machines have a different philosophy and I wouldn't compare them. But if it is done, it should at least be fact based.
A cased Q68 with RTC and ethernet costs £180, a Spectrum Next with RTC and Wifi did cost £215, and prices are now much higher.
That is not "more affordable".

A Q68 is a QL compatible immediately, has a tailormade operating system, is long term tested and stable, power on and you're in SBasic.
The Spectrum Next with QL core is not "less hustle" than that.

This is a news thread about the Spectrum Next QL core.
Please don't use it for questionable comparisons to QL-specific hardware. Thank you.

[QuantumLeapGR]

Yes. I believe we'll be ready around April 2025. There are only bureaucratic hurdles to bypass otherwise we're ready for production right now. Our last stock was sold for 305 and 335 GBP respectively. How much people charge is insane. There's an Artix version of XBerry Pi coming soon too so you'll be able to get a full KS2 style machine minus the keyboard (but you can still buy a mechanical N-Go keyboard) for less than 250 euros

Thanks, I ll stop QL funding and get ready, since I have import fees and P&P as non EU, as well as double VAT. Please remind us here before it kicks out

Last time I imported all EU bound QLs from The Netherlands and distributed them via Germany so no VAT or import fees needed to be paid. This time around we'll be a bit smarter and set up a subsidiary in the EU to avoid even our import fees (which were substantial but we ate it anyway)

[QuantumLeapGR]

I am aware of Q68, but NEXT Has very nice ports incl Wi Fi, great casing alike Plus and QL, big manual, several other cores, ZX128 compatibility and some software of its own, and QL is just cherry on top. With excerpt of MEGA65 one of best FPGA advancements I have seen, so I am very keen of it. Plus its way cheaper then QL plus net solution, HDMI solution, SD solution and has greater reliability.

There is also QIMSI Gold for standalone use. There seem to be some misunderstandings about Q68 and QIMSI Gold, but I don't want to go into a comparison to the Spectrum Next here. Just one thing: I reject that they were less reliable as QL compatibles than a Spectrum Next.

Hi,

I think the Q68, QIMSI are excellent products, I do not think they are in competition with the Spectrum Next, due giving different solutions, and both run SMSQ/E and the Next does not.

Thought the Next project team, seem to think the Q68 is a competitor. Which is utter rubbish, I produce the Q68 from Peter's excellent design, and I am one person performing the construction, supply of finished product, from a safety of my bedroom, in true retro style. Not using a third party company top produce the finished product.

Please do nor get me wrong, I like the Next, and by one, along with the QIMSI Gold, as I am a enthusiastic computer user at the end of the day.

The Q68 and ZX Spectrum Next are not even comparable; definitely there's no competition involved why would it be? Q68 is a very very very capable platform, much more mature than the Next where it comes to the QL core. Granted it's less available than a Next (I'm including the clones here) and I for one if ever Peter finds time; would love to see a Next core on it too.
The Next was created to become the one machine that's all Sinclairs at once; but at the same time focus on the ZX Spectrum as it would have been had development continued. The Q68 is a "QL/Next" already; we're playing catch up here to the feature set of the Q68 but at NO point anyone said it's a competition. We aim to provide a very good QL platform that people will enjoy. And maybe open up the QL to a whole bunch of people that probably would never have considered it. And don't forget we have less memory and lower resolution and colours than a Q68.

[Derek_Stewart]

I did not understand this point:

Just one thing: I reject that they were less reliable as QL compatibles than a Spectrum Next.

Can you expand on the text?

[Derek_Stewart]

The Q68 and ZX Spectrum Next are not even comparable; definitely there's no competition involved why would it be? Q68 is a very very very capable platform, much more mature than the Next where it comes to the QL core. Granted it's less available than a Next (I'm including the clones here) and I for one if ever Peter finds time; would love to see a Next core on it too.
The Next was created to become the one machine that's all Sinclairs at once; but at the same time focus on the ZX Spectrum as it would have been had development continued. The Q68 is a "QL/Next" already; we're playing catch up here to the feature set of the Q68 but at NO point anyone said it's a competition. We aim to provide a very good QL platform that people will enjoy. And maybe open up the QL to a whole bunch of people that probably would never have considered it. And don't forget we have less memory and lower resolution and colours than a Q68.

I think you are the one that said/mumbled, the Q68 was the Spectrum Next QL Core rival, in your You Tube presentation

With regards to the pricing of of the Q68 and Spectrum Next. Here is the current prices:

Spectrum Next: £300
Spectrum Next Accelerated: £330

Q68 PCB only: £150
Q68 Cased: 190

That looks just under 30% less expensive.

EU import tax, is a burning point, this was was blamed on BREXIT: UK exit form EU. But in reality, BREXIT, highlighted the fact the EU did not operate the their own import tax rules correctly, which was changed so that all non EU members has to pay 20% import tax on all items.

I always try to pay any country import tax, when supplying a Q68, though sometimes the country in question, makes the payment harder.

I do not think the NEXT is a competitor to the Q68, how can I compete against the NEXT, I am only one person, performing all the tasking to bring the to Q68 to limited market place.

But saying all that I would buy a NEXT when one comes available.

[Peter]

That looks just under 30% less expensive.

Hi Derek,
I would not compare that way either. The Spectrum Next has the beautiful new case designed by Rick Dickinson, and we do not have that for the QL. Still for the QL core, I would use an external German keyboard with the Spectrum Next, so I have correctly labeled and complete keys. Turning the beautiful case into just a dust collector for my personal use. It's all apples and oranges. This is not a product comparison thread.
Peter

[Derek_Stewart]

Hi,

please do not get me wrong, tge Next is a wonderful thing, and whrn available, I will buy a KS2 Next, I also likevthe XberryPi.

[QuantumLeapGR]

The Q68 and ZX Spectrum Next are not even comparable; definitely there's no competition involved why would it be? Q68 is a very very very capable platform, much more mature than the Next where it comes to the QL core. Granted it's less available than a Next (I'm including the clones here) and I for one if ever Peter finds time; would love to see a Next core on it too.
The Next was created to become the one machine that's all Sinclairs at once; but at the same time focus on the ZX Spectrum as it would have been had development continued. The Q68 is a "QL/Next" already; we're playing catch up here to the feature set of the Q68 but at NO point anyone said it's a competition. We aim to provide a very good QL platform that people will enjoy. And maybe open up the QL to a whole bunch of people that probably would never have considered it. And don't forget we have less memory and lower resolution and colours than a Q68.

I think you are the one that said/mumbled, the Q68 was the Spectrum Next QL Core rival, in your You Tube presentation

With regards to the pricing of of the Q68 and Spectrum Next. Here is the current prices:

Spectrum Next: £300
Spectrum Next Accelerated: £330

Q68 PCB only: £150
Q68 Cased: 190

That looks just under 30% less expensive.

EU import tax, is a burning point, this was was blamed on BREXIT: UK exit form EU. But in reality, BREXIT, highlighted the fact the EU did not operate the their own import tax rules correctly, which was changed so that all non EU members has to pay 20% import tax on all items.

I always try to pay any country import tax, when supplying a Q68, though sometimes the country in question, makes the payment harder.

I do not think the NEXT is a competitor to the Q68, how can I compete against the NEXT, I am only one person, performing all the tasking to bring the to Q68 to limited market place.

But saying all that I would buy a NEXT when one comes available.

I actually don't recall saying that and even if I did; it was tongue-in-cheek for the obvious reasons I said above. I will watch the presentation because I haven't yet - I don't enjoy looking at myself Seriously though, if I indeed made it sound that way; it wasn't my intention and I apologise right here and right now publicly. The entire presentation was in a light tone or at least as light as I could make it.
I'm not comparing prices between a Next and Q68 nor do I want to; it's pointless. The Next package, keyboard, manual cost a ton of money something that the clones don't have to do. If say, Don Superfo releases an X-Berry π with an Artix A7 (functionally equivalent to the KS2 Next for all purposes) and it goes for his favorite price of $100 should I compare it with the Nexst? Obviously not; Instead I'll say more power to him (and I have as we approved the XBerry as a great product same as with the N-Go). The point in all of this is that we now have one more platform to run QL programs; this is good in my book. The more the merrier!

[Derek_Stewart]

Hi,

I quite agree this that last comment, the more people using the QL in what ever platform the better.

If Next comes available, I will buy one.


*** Correction of spelling mistakes

[Exile]

I've been playing with the QL core using a Xberry Pi. I've not spent long with it yet, but it appears very impressive!

I got my Xberry Pi from https://zxrenew.co.uk/Xberry-Pi-p596973674 for £98.88 + £4.95 P&P. I ordered it 2 weeks ago and it was delivered 3 days after I ordered it. They still have them available now. I'm not sure what happens with posting outside of the UK though.

Combined with a cheap PS/2 keyboard from Amazon it made a cost effective way to explore the Spectrum Next + QL core